The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

Gr 5 Up—This full-color graphic novel is a treat for fans of the original Nintendo video game. A note about the comics indicates that the "story loosely follows the original plot of the video game with a few characters and twists that have been added to preserve the element of surprise and dramatic flow." Changes are subtle in this adaptation, but true fans of the game might wish for Link's weapons, which saved him so many times in the video game, such as the arrows that are missing from his arsenal. While Link represented the person behind the joystick in the game, he has more personality on the printed page. He is unsure of himself as he embarks on his mission to rescue Princess Zelda. Along the way, he meets a cast of characters, each taking him one step closer to completing his quest. Full-page artwork mixed with panels bring the action alive and sets the stage well for the story. At times, the pacing moves quickly across the panels, adding an element that is pleasing to the eye and that allows the action to flow easily. While the game builds and makes the rescue dramatic, this narrative doesn't have quite the same crescendo.